Biedronka, whose name means ladybird in Polish, is the dominant force in Polish retail and the core banner of Portuguese group Jerónimo Martins. Originally a hard discounter, it now runs a hybrid model sitting between discount and conventional supermarket, carrying roughly 3,200 to 4,000 SKUs per store while holding aggressive pricing. Strong private label underpins everyday low prices, stores are sited for neighborhood convenience, and newer 2.0 format units use improved layouts, energy-efficient lighting and greener cold chain. Its Moja Biedronka loyalty program and app count more than 13 million active users.
The scale is considerable. As of 2026 the chain operates more than 3,800 stores across over 1,300 Polish towns, holds a 63.6% share of the Polish discount retail market, serves over 5 million customer visits daily and is the country’s largest private employer with more than 84,000 staff. Jerónimo Martins group sales reached €36 billion in 2025, of which Biedronka contributed more than 70%, exceeding €25 billion and growing 7.5%, with EBITDA up nearly 10% at a 7.9% margin. The chain entered Slovakia in early 2025 and plans at least 50 stores there by the end of 2026. In early 2026 Biedronka disclosed basket deflation, with prices on some lines falling and promotions intensifying, compressing margins. Its response is more investment: 181 new stores in 2025, a net gain of 152, plus 200 remodels and spending on logistics and automation, with 120-plus further openings and warehouse expansion planned for 2026.
Why it matters for the pet industry
Poland is one of Europe’s largest pet food production bases, and Biedronka is its biggest domestic customer. When a single banner controls 63.6% of discount retail and takes over 5 million visits a day, its private-label dog and cat food tender effectively sets the national retail price for mainstream nutrition, and shapes what Polish plants can charge export customers.
Basket deflation changes the negotiation entirely. Suppliers spent four years passing costs through; a retailer defending share through promotion will now push falling input costs back down the chain. The Slovak rollout is the offset, offering co-manufacturers a fresh listing route with 50 stores committed by year-end.
What to watch
- Whether Biedronka reaches 50 Slovak stores by the end of 2026, opening a second listing market.
- Private-label pet food pricing as basket deflation works through 2026 promotional plans.
- Warehouse and automation investment affecting cold chain capacity for chilled and fresh pet food.
FAQ
What share of Poland’s discount market does Biedronka hold?
Biedronka controls 63.6% of the Polish discount retail market and operates more than 3,800 stores across over 1,300 towns, serving over 5 million customer visits every day. It is the country’s largest private employer with more than 84,000 staff and runs a hybrid model carrying roughly 3,200 to 4,000 SKUs per store.
How does Biedronka set Polish pet food prices?
Poland is one of Europe’s largest pet food production bases, and Biedronka is its biggest domestic customer. With 63.6% of discount retail and over 5 million daily visits, its private-label dog and cat food tender effectively sets the national retail price for mainstream nutrition and shapes export pricing.
Will Biedronka reach 50 stores in Slovakia by 2026?
Biedronka entered Slovakia in early 2025 and plans at least 50 stores there by the end of 2026, opening a second listing market for co-manufacturers. Meanwhile it battles basket deflation with more investment, having opened 181 stores in 2025 for a net gain of 152.
Source intelligence adapted for the GlobalPetIndex pet-industry audience. Original publication: external brief.
